Question and answer game

ABSTRACT

A question an answer game on a college level with three separate rounds of play, the first round providing preset points and the second round and third round requiring wagering of points to be awarded for a correct answer. The third round providing for increased amounts of points to be wagered. The game when played over a commercial global network provides the greatest competition and detailed statistical analysis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to games and more particularly to question and answer games using questions on a college level and directed to competition among individual game players and their colleges and universities.

[0003] 2. Prior Art and Objects

[0004] Question and answer games are well known and many format styles exist. A game specifically directed to college level people and specifically intended to create competition between and among individual players and their various institutions of higher learning has not been produced. The question and answer game intended by this invention may be played in an auditorium and could even be played at home using a kit. In order to create the greatest degree of competitiveness, the game is best played by means of a commercial global network. In this way, a vast number of individual competitors and their universities and colleges are available to compete at the same time. The commercial global network along with computerized operation permits the virtually instantaneous showing of a wide number of statistics and further permits the use of a host in the form of an animated figure who presents a separate message to various players based upon their performance. However, the game may be played in person in a gathering using paper sheets with the statistics being produced by calculations. It could be played at home in a kit form.

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a question and answer game that inspires competition among both individual players as well as their universities and colleges.

[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a question and answer game directed to persons of college and university level education using questions based upon course materials used in higher education.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a question and answer game in which the exact standing of each participant is made available to that participant.

[0008] It is still a further object of the present question and answer game to provide a listing of the fifteen students with their associated universities and colleges who students have performed the best in the game.

[0009] It is still a further object to provide a question and answer game that provides a wide variety of comparative standings of various demographic and other groups.

[0010] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a question and answer game that provides awards to the best performers.

[0011] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a question and answer game with three rounds, each having the same set number of questions in each round with the first round having a predetermined units of credit for each correct answer while in the second round the player is required to state within prescribed limits the amount of units that the player desires to wager on a correct answer for that question and in the third round the player again states the units being wagered but without restriction except for the number of units available to that player.

[0012] These and further objects will be become obvious to one skilled in the art as the description of the invention is explained in greater detail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A question and answer game on a college level utilizing three separate rounds of play, the first round providing a predetermined number of points for each question. The second round requires the player, after being advised of the category of the next question, to state in advance of hearing the question, the amount of points that the player wishes to wager for the question, but within a range. The third round is similar to the second round but without any limitation of the wager except the number of points available to the player. The fifteen top winners receive points which can be exchanged for units which in turn are redeemable for prizes. A variety of statistical comparisons are made available concerning both individual players and universities and colleges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a home page where a player obtains general information and from which a player may register to play the game.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a general registration sheet by which a player joins the game.

[0016]FIG. 3 is an educational registration sheet.

[0017]FIG. 4. Is a sheet specifically used for Round Three but which is indicative of each question sheet and on which is shown the top fifteen winners.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a statistical table showing how an individual player performed in relation to a variety of groups.

[0019]FIG. 6 shows demographic statistics and also lists the top hundred colleges and universities and the top one hundred unit winners.

[0020]FIG. 7 shows units available and the units necessary to obtain a specific item.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] Basic Game

[0022] The game in its basic form includes three rounds, namely Round One, Round Two and Round Three. Each round has ten questions. The three rounds are separated from one another by a brief period of time.

[0023] In Round One or the First Round there are general knowledge questions which are intended generally to be simpler than the questions in Round Two and Round Three. Each correct answer earns twenty-five points of credit. Each question has three answer choices. A player has ten seconds to answer.

[0024] The distinction between the terms “points” and “units” is worthy of note. Points are the measure of success in playing the game. The top fifteen point winners receive units, depending upon their standing and units are exchangeable for prizes.

[0025] Round Two or the Second Round is more complex. A specific category of question is first announced for each question. Within the number of points already earned, each player may wager between one and fifty points. If the correct answer is provided, the number of points wagered are added to the total score of that player. If the incorrect answer is provided, the number of points is subtracted from the total score of that player. If no wager is made, a default wager of one point is made.

[0026] Round Three or the Third Round is similar to Round Two. The category of each question is displayed. Then, each player has the opportunity to wager on any question between one and all of their points already earned. As with Round Two, the amount wagered is the amount of points added to the player's score for a correct answer or subtracted for an incorrect answer. Also, as with Round Two, in Round Three, if no wager is made, a default value of one point is entered.

[0027] In Round Three, each question has five possible answers and with some questions, multiple answers must be selected in order to answer the question correctly. In Round Two each question must be answered in fifteen seconds and in Round Three, each question must be answered in twenty seconds.

[0028] The top fifteen point winners in each game are awarded units that can be applied toward prizes. In the case of a tie, both players receive the same number of units to redeem for prizes.

[0029] Commercial Global Network

[0030] In its basic form, the game may be played by a group of people in a gathering and can even be played at home as a kit game. If the detailed analysis and broad competitive results for a wide range of categories are desired, computerized operation over a commercial global network becomes increasingly advantageous to provide competition among a wide variety of universities and colleges. Clearly, the greatest opportunity for competitive play occurs when the game is over a commercial global network with many players and with a side spectrum of colleges and universities involved thereby increasing the intensity of the competition.

[0031] In starting the game, a player first views what can be referred to as a home page (FIG. 1) or a general information page. When using a commercial global network, the home page 11 is the initial page that will appear on the computer screen of a potential player. The various options available to a player are shown on the home page in FIG. 1 and, in addition, an animated character 11 may be shown on t he home page. The animated character 11 may also be used on other pages.

[0032] As seen in FIG. 2, a player must initially register to play. To protect confidentiality, a screen name is entered in a screen name box 13. Then a pass word is entered in a password box 15 and then entered a second time in a password confirmation box 17. The password confirmation box 17 must match the password box 15 to proceed. This assures that no error has occurred in the password which is so essential to maintaining confidentiality.

[0033] Contact information must be obtained. Should the player win, it is essential that this information be verified. Accordingly, a first name box 19 and a last name box 21 are provided as well as an address box 23. Gender is provided for by a gender box 25 and age is provided in an age box 27. An E-Mail box 29 provides for inclusion of an E-Mail address as an additional means to communicate with a player.

[0034] As the game is directed to players who either attended, are attending or will attend an institution of higher learning, a location box 31 is provided to designate the State where such institution of higher learning is located.

[0035] In FIG. 3 is shown the education information required of a player. The level of education is provided in an educational box 33 and the year of graduation is placed in a graduation box 35. A status box 37 provides details as to whether the player is currently attending a college of university. The specific college or university is then provided in the college/university box 39. The major or intended major is then entered in the major box 41. A roots box 43 states whether the player is a Yankee or a Southerner.

[0036] Personal information concerning likes and dislikes and primarily personal interests may also be entered but the solicitation of this information is not actually part of the game itself.

[0037] In playing the game, the screen used for the various questions, in each of the three rounds, follows a similar pattern. In FIG. 4, the specific screen for question 9 in Round Three, is shown. In other rounds and other questions, the screen is similar. A category box 45 states the category of the questions to be asked. A timer 47 is shown to advise of remaining time. The question is presented in a question area 49 and the ranking of the top fifteen players is displayed in a ranking box 51. In each case, the screen name previously entered in the screen box 13 is used to designate the player 53. Class, as in status box 37 and college/university from the college/university box 39 of the player is also displayed respectively in a screen class box 55 and in a screen college/university box 57. The respective score is shown in a score box 58.

[0038]FIG. 5 shows the statistics table screen by which a player may determine his or her own specific statistical rating. General rating information is provided in a rating box 59 such as average score, highest score and total winnings.

[0039] The statistics table in FIG. 5 also shows a comparison to other players in a wide variety of categories. For example, in the College/Group box 61, a comparison to all colleges and universities is possible but a comparison is also possible as to any specific college or university as well as comparisons directed to class years, gender and major. The statistics table (FIG. 5) also provides boxes to add a friend 63, add a group 65, submit questions 67 or edit their registration information 69. However, these features are not part of the game itself but are ancillary to the game but do provide information that makes the game more competitive and exciting.

[0040] Further statistical data is also available. As seen in FIG. 6, four academic levels may be rated in a variety of ways. The one hundred top colleges/universities are rated in an average point score box 71, total units won box 73 and an average number of points wagered box 75.

[0041] In FIG. 6, in the College Elitist Club box 77, colleges/universities are listed by average point score, total units won and average wager amount and in the Prize Elitist box 79, the number of units won is stated for each player be screen name and their respective college/university.

[0042] On the home page (FIG. 1) a player is permitted to access a previous game. The previous games are listed by date. One archival game may be selected. Then the archival game is presented in the same form and order as the real-time game except that the player can log off the archival game at any time and may click back on at a designated place and continue the archival game providing the player resumes the game within thirty minutes.

[0043] A prize zone page (FIG. 7) displays pictures of different prizes that a player can purchase with the units awarded to that player. The prize zone page also provides a list of advertisers' links and information as to the location of merchants that can be reached in various ways including the commercial global network. If a player having units to spend selects a prize, a confirmation is promptly returned to the player with a gift certificate code.

[0044] As preferable as the computerized game over a global network may be, substantially the same results and statistics, even if on a smaller scale, can be achieved using paper pages which are individually audited with the results then being posted.

[0045] Thus, while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

The claims are:
 1. A question and answer game comprising: a point being a measure of award; three separate rounds of questions, namely a first round, a second round and a third round, the points awarded for each question of the first round being predetermined and the points awarded for each question of the second round and the third round requiring a wager with a predetermined minimum wager and the maximum amount in the third round exceeding the maximum amount in the second round.
 2. A question and answer game according to claim 1 wherein the number of questions in both the first round, the second round and the third round is ten questions.
 3. A question and answer game according to claim 1 wherein the minimum wager in the second round and the third round is one point and the maximum wager in the second round is fifty points and the maximum wager in the third round is all points already earned.
 4. A question and answer game comprising: a point being a measure of reward; a first round of ten questions, each of the ten questions providing an award of twenty-five points for a correct answer; a second round of questions, the second round including ten questions, the ten questions of the second round requiring a minimum wager of one point and a with a limitation of a maximum wager of fifty points, the amount wagered being the amount of points awarded for a correct answer and the amount of points deducted for an incorrect question; and a third round of questions, including ten questions, the ten questions of the third round requiring a minimum wager of one point and a maximum wager of all the earned points, the amount wagered being the amount awarded for a correct answer.
 5. A question and answer game comprising: a point being used as a measure of reward; multiple rounds of questions, each question when answered correctly providing an award of at least one point; a registration sheet that requires entry of a screen name and a password; an educational information sheet requiring entry of educational background; an account sheet including an account status box showing name and address and colleges and universities selected for comparison; a registration sheet used to obtain eligibility for access to the game; and a statistical sheet displaying data as to the individual standing of a specific player.
 6. A question and answer game according to claim 5 wherein the multiple rounds of questions includes three rounds, each round having ten questions.
 7. A question and answer game according to claim 5 wherein the multiple rounds of questions includes three rounds, each round having ten questions and wherein: the first round has a predetermined number of points awarded for each question answered correctly and the points awarded for each question answered correctly in the second round and in the third round requires a wager.
 8. A question and answer game according to claim 5 wherein the multiple rounds of questions includes three rounds, each round having ten questions and wherein in the first round each of the ten questions provides an award of twenty-five points for a correct answer and wherein in the second round of ten questions a wager of between one point and up to fifty points of the points earned in the game is required for each question and the amount wagered being the amount awarded for a correct answer and wherein in the third round of ten questions a wager of between one point and all the points earned in the game is required for each question and the amount of points wagered being the amount awarded for a correct answer and the amount of points deducted for an incorrect answer.
 9. A question and answer game according to claim 5 further including a demographic page where a series of demographic categories are ranked by the percentage of correct answers.
 10. A question and answer game according to claim 5 further including: prize units, prize units being awarded to the fifteen players with the greatest number of points, and a demographic page wherein a series of demographic categories are ranked by the total prize units won.
 11. A question and answer game according to claim 5 further including a demographic page wherein a series of demographic categories are ranked by average point score.
 12. A question and answer game according to claim 5 further including a demographic page wherein a series of demographic categories are ranked by the wager amounts, the wager amounts being averaged.
 13. A question and answer game according to claim 5 further including a college elitist club listing the top one hundred colleges and universities ranked by percentage of correct answers.
 14. A question and answer game according to claim 5 further including an elitist club listing the top one hundred colleges and universities ranked by average wager.
 15. A question and answer game according to claim 5 further including prize units, prize units being awarded to the top fifteen players with the greatest number of points; and a college elitist club listing the top one hundred colleges and universities ranked by a total of prize units won. 